Just like any product, once it’s more freely available people buy using the method that’s more convenient to them. However, if recent history is any indicator, online purchases will surpass the physical stores, and for proof you just have to look at how the little company south of the border, Amazon.com is eating up all the big retail and grocery stores. I personally like to buy stuff online, but that doesn’t mean that I don’t buy things in stores. For example, if I want to buy a car, I will go to a store and buy it. But if it’s something that I don’t need to feel, touch, test before I buy, or something that I’ve bought several times, buying online is usually the way to go.

You get the idea, but below are some reasons that will convince you further why you should consider buying weed online:

1. Convenience of shopping from home

Convenience is the biggest and most important reason why ecommerce is so huge. You don’t have to dress up, travel and worry about dispensary working hours. Especially people that don’t live close to a dispensary, people that are disabled and therefore unable to leave the house, ones that can’t take public transportation or drive a vehicle. Online ordering is the way to go.

2. You don’t have to talk to anyone

Don’t get me wrong, I love to socialize and make small talk with my local store operators, but sometimes I’m in a hurry or am having a bad day and just don’t feel like talking to anyone. Additionally, if you are an introvert and really feel anxious in social settings, weed dispensaries can be a bit overwhelming. Anytime I buy weed from a dispensary I feel rushed and can never have enough time to make my decision. When you buy weed online, you don’t have to deal with any of that. You can take as much time as you want, then just add the product you want to your shopping cart, pay and you are done.

3. Huge selection of products

This is where I’ll go back to my Amazon.com argument again. Online stores typically have warehouses, where they store tons of product inventory. They can always offer you more selection when compared to your local cannabis dispensary. Your local store limits its supply based on demand and stuff that people buy. They can’t keep strains aging on their shelves. But an online store has a lot more flexibility. They also are dealing with a much larger customer base and therefore have a better variety of products to choose from. Because they have more product in stock, you can also comparison shop among several online dispensaries for products, reviews, and prices. When researching online you also can investigate the dispensary’s credibility and certification.

4. Typically better prices

This goes in line with the previous point, because, the online dispensary deals in larger volumes and has a much larger customer base, they can afford to offer better deals and discounts that are not available in a physical store. The online stores also have less overhead. They don’t need security, or budtenders or store décor. They could just operate in a warehouse. These things save money and these savings can be passed on to the consumer.They also offer free delivery (sometimes with a minimum purchase). When you buy stuff in a physical store, if it’s not within walking distance, you will spend some money to travel whether it’s gas money or for public transportation.

5. Patients with severe and critical conditions

I covered this a bit in section 2 above, but some patients have severe anxiety and depression or maybe suffering from other critical illnesses. In these cases, leaving the house and traveling to a store is not just an inconvenience, but not practically possible. For patients like these, online is the best way to re-order the product.

6. It might be your only option

Recently, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said that if a Canadian province doesn’t set up a framework to sell marijuana legally, the federal government will ensure pot is available to all Canadians online.

Trudeau said he recognizes that different provinces will have different approaches but they will have more than one year to establish the systems they want to use to sell cannabis.“If they decide they don’t want to bring legislation forward, we will make [marijuana]available through a federal system, probably on the Internet,” Trudeau told VICE Canada during a town hall event focused on pot. “Our system will be accessible for all who do not have a system in their province,” Trudeau continued, in French. “So, there will be a way for all across the country, who have the age of maturity, to buy cannabis.”

How to be safe when buying weed online in Canada?

So buying online seems like a great option, but here are some things that you should consider before you buy so that you not only have a great experience, but also a safe one.

1. Do your research

Just like when you buy anything online, you don’t just go with the first store you see, you research, you compare and only then you buy. Just follow the same principle with weed. Do your research, make sure you are not buying from store that’s not licensed to sell it. Don’t buy from a forum or Craigslist or some guy you met on Facebook or Kik. You will end up losing your money, getting arrested or worse have a crazy person show up at your door. Remember you are giving them your address!

The good news is that it’s completely legal and safe to buy weed online in Canada through dispensaries that are registered to sell medical marijuana. In Canada, this means a site that is licensed by Health Canada is legally allowed to sell weed online to qualified medical marijuana patients.

2. Know what you are buying

Don’t ever buy weed online if you don’t know exactly what it is you’re purchasing. If you’re going to buy weed online it’s vital to make sure you’re getting the product you need. This comes down to taking the time to getting to know what works best for your medical condition. Even in the future for recreational use, you want to buy products that you know work for you.

3. Make sure the product is safe and tested

Like point 1 and 2 above, if you’ve done your research and know what you are buying, you shouldn’t have a problem with this one. But if you are buying from a new place for a new product make sure that you read about it and ensure its safe. If you are not sure of the site or the product, good news is that another store is just one click away.

It’s great to live in a country where you have multiple options to buy medicinal and soon recreational marijuana. Just remember to be safe and spend your money with trusted sellers.